Research summary
In gene expression, genetic information from our DNA is transcribed to our messenger RNA (mRNA) and translated to produce proteins, which in turn form the complex machinery of our cells. This flow of information is regulated to produce different types of cells, such as brain or muscle cells. But various illnesses, such as cancer and neurological disorders, can arise when gene expression control mechanisms go awry. To combat disease, we need a deeper understanding of how gene expression is controlled.
As Canada Research Chair in Neuronal RNA Biology, Dr. John Calarco aims to better understand the impact of mRNA processing in human health and disease. He and his research team are exploring how post-transcriptional regulation of mRNAs influences the growth and function of brain cells called neurons. They are also determining the impact of specific nucleotide sequences on mRNA processing, identifying combinations of RNA binding proteins that impact neuronal function, and mapping the locations of RNA binding proteins at single-neuron resolution.